A few weeks ago, we celebrated Mother’s Day with echoes of love resonating across our country. From a dozen roses, a nice dinner out on the town, to loving embraces, we made Sunday, May 10 an everlasting tribute to Mom’s everywhere.
In just four short days, we will celebrate our love and affection to our Fathers across the world.
Who is Dad?
Simply put, he is the patriarch of our families. He is strong, fair and stern while projecting to be the wonderful role model we wish to look up to. He is a family enforcer, a confidant, a wage earner, and of course, a beacon of honesty and eternal love for his family’s wellbeing.
If you were lucky, you and your dad became very close. This means, he was there for you at any event, time or place.
Having become a dad at the very young age of 22 and my wife Jo entering motherhood at 21, we celebrated our first-born Mike in 1961. Did we ever learn the meaning of ON-THE-JOB TRAINING.
The early years passed quickly to 1965, as our second son Chris joined our family. Chris’s very presence as an infant coupled with dealing with an ever energetic 3-year-old gave us a second wake-up call. This time, it became obvious” teamwork” was the mandating element of success. Jo became in my view, a solid candidate for “Mother of the Year.”
My responsibility grew with not only supporting our young family; but being there when needed for serious family decisions.
With the dawn of a new decade, the 1970’s brought about the birth of our third son – Joe – in 1972. The demographics were now magnified by Mike at 11, Chris at 7 and a newborn at home. We were now in our 11th year of marriage and our family was growing. It was evident that Jo and I became much more aware of our key responsibilities while raising 3 young boys.
My role as a father over the ensuing years became very evident that I would have to handle each challenge and questions from our sons as they became an issue of discipline and responsibility.
Any parent will tell you whether you are a parent of girls or boys; by the time those “teen years” arrive, so do the issues that accompany the challenges that follow.
Throughout the 70’s and 80’s our three boys grew into those very key years of maturity and responsibility while we learned to address them quickly and right to the point.
Today, Jo and I like to believe that our parenting, communications, and focus are the key elements of our successful family.
Who was Sonora Smart Dodd?
It’s a good chance you have no idea as to the identity of this historic name and neither did I until I did some research and found her name etched in American history. It’s a well-known fact that we celebrate Father’s Day always on the third Sunday in June. According to the Farmer’s Almanac, Sonora Smart Dodd was linked closely to the creation of giving tribute to our fathers worldwide.
Apparently, Dodd of Spokane, Washington, had a vision after the turn of the century in 1910 when she heard a Mothers’ Day sermon at her church. She quickly proposed the idea that Fathers as well should be duly honored, and her proposal was quickly accepted.
Just like that, the very first Fathers’ Day took place 116 years ago on Sunday, June 19,1910.
Certainly, Dodd had a solid reason for her vision as she wanted to honor and recognize her father who was a civil war veteran who raised six children as a single parent.
Father’s Day – a national holiday
If you turn back the hands of time you will find a presidential proclamation of 1966 when President Lyndon B. Johnson designated the third Sunday in June to be Father’s Day, according to the Library of Congress.
Six years passed as 1972 brought President Richard Nixon into history as he signed legislation making Father’s Day a permanent national holiday in the United States.
So, as you read today’s column you also realize that Father’s Day is just four days hence, this Sunday, June 21.
This wonderful day can be celebrated in several ways, from a greeting card, text, email, or even a facetime call if you can’t be with him.
However, if you are fortunate and your dad is still available for a picnic, family dinner, or a meal at his favorite restaurant; don’t forget his card or even a wonderful gift.
Certainly, there are those amongst us who have lost their fathers over these many years but memory of him will never die. We will make the trip this Sunday to the local cemetery and lay wreaths and/or flowers in loving memory.
Sunday, June 21 is Father’s Day 2026 – you have four days to make your plans to honor a pillar of your family. It will be a day of love and tears, yet a day of happiness as well. Make your plans.
From our house to yours, HAPPY FATHER’S DAY.